PREFACE.
The following is one of a series of editions of Malayalam Classical
works prepared by order of the Director of Public Instruction (Madras)
to supply the want of suitable text-books for Malayalam students pre-
paring for the several examinations of the Madras University. Of the
various Malayalam works hitherto appointed by the University for its
examinations, either no printed editions have been available, or those
printed to satisfy only native ideas. The native printed editions are not
only very badly printed, but make no divisions for verses or even for
words - running on in one unbroken word (if I may say so) from the
beginning to the end of the book.
By this system, what is already difficult enough from its subject
and style, is made artificially so, and the study of native classical lit-
erature is rendered unnecessarily difficult, not only to European students,
but to natives themselves. It seems desirable that every facility should
be afforded for the study of the native languages, and by the plan adopt-
ed in the present series, Malayalam poetry is rendered no more difficult
relatively to Malayalam prose, than English poetry is relatively to
English prose. Each verse occupies its own line, the words are divided,
the elisions or additions of letters are duly indicated, compounds are
separated by a hyphen, and the whole is punctuated with at least an
attempt at the same care with which that point is attended to in good
editions of the Greek and Roman classics. And it will I think be found
that the punctuation alone, if carefully studied, will be found a sufficient
help to the understanding of many passages hitherto obscure.
Other works, such as the Sambhava Parvam of the Mahabháratham,
the Addhyótma Rámáyanam and among minor works, the Pancha-
tantram,* the Nala Charitram, and the Vétála Charitram are in course
of preparation on the same plan.
* which will form No. I of this series.
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